The False vs True Gift Of Tongues

[Behold]

Yes, I received the gift of tongues after I became Born Again...

Do you speak in tongues @Behold ?

The prayer language is relevant, but i dont really pursue it.

Why?

Because Paul said to seek the "best gift(s)" .

So, what i do, is pursue #1, #2, and #7, as without those, a minister can't teach and preach effectively using the scriptures.

1.) Wisdom,2.) Knowledge and 7.) Discernment

 

[Pearl]

I’m interested, what does that mean Pearl?

Do you know why I don’t use my gift of tongues?

Sis...stay strong and speak Gods truth as you do.

he Importance Of Speaking In Tongues.
There are at least four basic manifestations of the gift of tongue

• Tongues for personal edification. (1 Corinthians 14:4) This is the supernatural language the Holy Spirit prays through us that we can use to pray hour after hour if we desire. It often accompanies the baptism of the Holy Spirit.
• Tongues which require an interpretation. (1 Corinthians 14:5) This manifestation of tongues is normally presented in a public assembly accompanied by an interpretation by the same or another person. (Romans 8:26)
• Tongues of deep intercessional groaning. (Romans 8:26) This diversification of tongues empowers the believers to stand in the gap for their own lives, their families, their church, their city, their nation etc. God may also call on them to intercede for someone or for some situation that is totally unknown.
• Tongues as a sign to unbelievers. (1 Corinthians 14:22) This is the phenomenon that took place on the day of Pentecost. (Acts2:4-11) It occurs when the Holy Spirit transcends the intellect and all language barriers by empowering a believer to preach, teach or testify about Christ in some language of man of which the believer himself has no knowledge.

 

[amadeus]

You're casting out devils, healing the sick and the lame, performing miracles, prophesying, along with speaking in unknown earthly tongues, too, right?

1co 12:4	Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.
1co 12:5	And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord.
1co 12:6	And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all.
1co 12:7	But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.
1co 12:8	For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit;
1co 12:9	To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit;
1co 12:10	To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues:
1co 12:11	But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.
1co 12:12	For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ.

1co 12:18	But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him.
1co 12:19	And if they were all one member, where were the body?
1co 12:20	But now are they many members, yet but one body.
1co 12:21	And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you.

1co 12:28	And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.
1co 12:29	Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles?
1co 12:30	Have all the gifts of healing? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret?

 

[Pearl]

You're casting out devils, healing the sick and the lame, performing miracles, prophesying, along with speaking in unknown earthly tongues, too, right?

@DJT_47 If you don't know people who have done or seen these signs and wonders then you should seriously think about changing your church.

 

[Peterlag]

1 Corinthians 12:1 : "now concerning spiritual GIFTS"

Romans 11:29 " : For the GIFTS and calling of God are without repentance

1 Corinthians 12:1 is talking about gifts and tongues is not mentioned there. Verse 7 says manifestations and tongues is mentioned there. Romans 11:29 does not mention tongues.

 

[Pearl]

1 Corinthians 12:28
And God has placed in the church first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, of helping, of guidance, and of different kinds of tongues.

 

[DJT_47]

@DJT_47 If you don't know people who have done or seen these signs and wonders then you should seriously think about changing your church.

So I take it as a yes response, that the people you know are performing miracles, healing the lame and straightening crooked legs, restoring sight to the blind, etc.

 

[Hobie]

@DJT_47 If you don't know people who have done or seen these signs and wonders then you should seriously think about changing your church.

If I see people possessed of unclean and evil spirits, I would certainly leave that church, so have to check what spirits are taking hold and coming out of their mouths. Christ dealt with them constantly and warned against them...
Matthew 12:43-45
43 When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest, and findeth none.
44 Then he saith, I will return into my house from whence I came out; and when he is come, he findeth it empty, swept, and garnished.
45 Then goeth he, and taketh with himself seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter in and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first. Even so shall it be also unto this wicked generation.

 

[Pearl]

It's truly sad that so many people who call themselves Christian have never experienced the wonderful power of God through his gifts and signs and wonders, either first hand by doing it themselves or being on the receiving end or seeing it done to or by a third party.

And in spite of personal testimony they continue to deny these blessings, even to the point of accusing people of being controlled by satan. when these things happen.

 

[amadeus]

Give me the facts

Do we live for God by facts or by faith?

Ro 1:17

For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.

And what is faith?

Heb 11:1

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

 

[DJT_47]

Do we live for God by facts or by faith?

Ro 1:17

For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.

And what is faith?

Heb 11:1

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

The facts are 1 Cor 13:8. All so called gifts have ceased and are no longer active nor necessary today

 

[Big Boy Johnson]

The gift is for a purpose just like all the others from the Holy Spirit and not just blabbing unintelligent with no understading, it had to be able to communicate the gospel not just nonsense noises.

What you call noise is actually speaking unto the Lord and NO man can understand it, and neither can the devil.

1 Corinthians 14:2
For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth him; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries.

There are divers tongues (different types) but it's the same Holy Ghost.

ALL of what the Lord says needs to be looked at before making assumptions...

The gift of tongues was the many languages that were there at the time of the different nations, so it was given for this purpose

No, there's other purposes for tongues that all you can understand.

 

[Big Boy Johnson]

It was all to communicate with the languages of other countries, that was the purpose and it

Wrong!

That is just ONE way tongues can be manifested.

Oh well I'm not getting into discussing non-Christian 'tongues'.

And of course it's no wonder that satan attempts to duplicate all that the Lord does.

The thing is, the members dont test to see if it is from God or from evil, and the devil is very cunning and deceiving many with these false tongues.

Just because you don't understand what they are saying doesn't automatically mean it's of the devil.

1 Corinthians 14:2
For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh NOT unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth him; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries.

 

[DJT_47]

Wrong!

That is just ONE way tongues can be manifested.




And of course it's no wonder that satan attempts to duplicate all that the Lord does.



Just because you don't understand what they are saying doesn't automatically mean it's of the devil.

1 Corinthians 14:2
For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh NOT unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth him; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries.

Don't stop at 1 Cor 14:2, read the ENTIRE chapter so you can understand verse 2 correctly, which you presently don't.

I've pulled a couple key verses out of 14 that clarifies verse 2 and keeps it in its proper context, but read it all.

Excerpts from 1 Cor.14 below

2For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth him; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries. 13Wherefore let him that speaketh in an unknown tongue pray that he may interpret. 14For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful. 22Wherefore tongues are for a sign, not to them that believe, but to them that believe not: but prophesying serveth not for them that believe not, but for them which believe. 27If any man speak in an unknown tongue, let it be by two, or at the most by three, and that by course; and let one interpret. 28But if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church; and let him speak to himself, and to God.

 

[amadeus]

The facts are 1 Cor 13:8. All so called gifts have ceased and are no longer active nor necessary today

If you are interpreting that verse that way then knowledge is also no longer active or necessary..., so how can you know the knowledge that you say that you know?

1co 13:8

Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.

 

[DJT_47]

If you are interpreting that verse that way then knowledge is also no longer active or necessary..., so how can you know the knowledge that you say that you know?

1co 13:8

Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.

I don't follow your logic: explain what you mean.

You have to first understand why the manifestations of the Spirit were necessary then but are no longer necessary. Why were the manifestations. "gifts" of the Spirit necessary then when the church was just getting started and the word being spread? What was their need and purpose (clue) and what's changed? Ask yourself and answer yourself.

 

[amadeus]

I don't follow your logic: explain what you mean.

You have to first understand why the manifestations of the Spirit were necessary then but are no longer necessary. Why were the manifestations. "gifts" of the Spirit necessary then when the church was just getting started and the word being spread? What was their need and purpose (clue) and what's changed? Ask yourself and answer yourself.

All of us are just getting started when we first come to God and begin reading our Bibles. If we are to presume that the Church already has it all right, then why are not all still with the Catholic Church? Why do any of us belong to a break-away group?

 

[Tulipbee]

The gift is for a purpose just like all the others from the Holy Spirit and not just blabbing unintelligent with no understading, it had to be able to communicate the gospel not just nonsense noises.

Isaiah 66:18
For I know their works and their thoughts: it shall come, that I will gather all nations and tongues; and they shall come, and see my glory.

Acts 2:4-8
And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven.
Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language.
And they were all amazed and marvelled, saying one to another, Behold, are not all these which speak Galilaeans?
And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born?

Acts 2:11
Cretes and Arabians, we do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God.

1 Corinthians 14:23
If therefore the whole church be come together into one place, and all speak with tongues, and there come in those that are unlearned, or unbelievers, will they not say that ye are mad?

The gift of tongues was the many languages that were there at the time of the different nations, so it was given for this purpose, and it has been distorted with the babbling many use today.

Ah, the divine gift of tongues – a theological dance that MacArthur, Washer, Piper, and Sproul would surely join! Let's explore this comedic theological spectacle with a Calvinistic twist.

Quoting MacArthur with a chuckle: John MacArthur once remarked, "Ah, the gift of tongues – not a babbling brook but a river of divine purpose! As I've taught, 'Tongues were a sign for unbelieving Israel, not a mystical language game.'"

Cue Paul Washer's serious humor: Paul Washer adds, "Indeed, tongues were for communication, not confusion! As I've declared, 'The Gospel is the message, not incoherent babbling. The purpose is clarity, not chaos.'"

John Piper chimes in with theological spice: John Piper quips, "The wonderful works of God, not senseless sounds! As I've written, 'Tongues were a sign of God's glory, not a mysterious language devoid of meaning.'"

And let's not forget RC Sproul's insightful humor: RC Sproul chuckles, "The gift of tongues – a divine symphony of languages, not a cacophony of confusion! As I've explained, 'The purpose was clear communication, not a mystical haze.'"

Addressing the misuse with Calvinistic flair: In the grand Calvinist Comedy Club, we navigate the distortion of tongues with 1 Corinthians 14:23, "If therefore the whole church be come together into one place, and all speak with tongues, and there come in those that are unlearned, or unbelievers, will they not say that ye are mad?"

So, my theological comrades, let's keep the divine banter rolling, where the Gospel is the central message, and the gift of tongues serves the purpose of clear communication, not confusing clamor! #CalvinistComedyClub #DivineTonguesBanterLaughs #GospelClarityGroove

 

[Cassandra]

So these people you know perform miracles, straighten crooked, deformed legs, give sight back to the blind, heal diseases, and more?

Yep! Send them to St Jude's. If I could really heal, I'd go there.

 

[Karl Peters]

The gift is for a purpose just like all the others from the Holy Spirit and not just blabbing unintelligent with no understading, it had to be able to communicate the gospel not just nonsense noises.

Isaiah 66:18
For I know their works and their thoughts: it shall come, that I will gather all nations and tongues; and they shall come, and see my glory.

Acts 2:4-8
And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven.
Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language.
And they were all amazed and marvelled, saying one to another, Behold, are not all these which speak Galilaeans?
And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born?

Acts 2:11
Cretes and Arabians, we do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God.

1 Corinthians 14:23
If therefore the whole church be come together into one place, and all speak with tongues, and there come in those that are unlearned, or unbelievers, will they not say that ye are mad?

The gift of tongues was the many languages that were there at the time of the different nations, so it was given for this purpose, and it has been distorted with the babbling many use today.

The above is what you see from people who don't have the gift and lean in their own understanding instead of actually seek our Lord Jesus Christ an listening to Him!!!

One of the gifts of the spirit is interpretation of tongues!!

And indeed it is written that if anyone prays in tongues the need also ask the Lord for an interpretation!!

Well you don't need an interpretation if it was in fact spoken in a language that you understand, as Hobie is thinking. What is missed is that in the verses quoted in the OP is that they "HEARD" in their own language and not that others were speaking in their own language as is thought in the OP.

And this mistake should have been obvious because when they came together is the account in Acts, they were from many countries - so if the Spirit had me say speaking in Spanish when my language was English, and someone there was from China then they would not have heard me speaking in their language!!! Thus making the Scriptures wrong!!

So the only way for all to hear in their own language was to get an interpretation from the Holy Spirit each in His own language - like they do at the UN!!

This should be obvious, but is completely missed in the OP. And why is the understanding missed??

We need to know that understanding comes from the mouth of the Lord and not you leaning on our own understanding - which is to say we need to actually seek the Lord and listen to Him as opposed to just leaning on our own understanding!!

So let me just back the above with verses:

First from the OP:

Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language.

Acts 2:11
Cretes and Arabians, we do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God.

Did we not read "every man HEARD", and "we do HEAR"? Hearing is not the same things a speaking!! So a jump in logic has been made!! With the Holy Spirit interpreting, they could have heard and been hearing in their language though it was spoken in some other, say heavenly, language! So an assumption was made, and I understand that thinking, but God's thoughts are not out thoughts and His ways are not our ways - as high as the heavens are above the earth are His ways above our ways! And don't we know that He like using His Holy Spirit when dealing with us?

1 Cor 12: 4-11Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit...
And there are varieties of ministries, and the same Lord.
There are varieties of effects, but the same God who works all things in all persons.
But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.
For to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, and to another the word of knowledge according to the same Spirit;
to another faith by the same Spirit, and to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit,
and to another the effecting of miracles, and to another prophecy, and to another the distinguishing of spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, and to another the interpretation of tongues.
But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually just as He wills.

Now a lot got missed in the OP because the above verses were not considered!! As pointed out already the "interpretation of tongues" got completely missed in the OP. But perhaps the most important thing that got missed was the last bit about "just as He wills"!!!!

It is not your will that decides these things, so it is not your understanding that makes the difference!! If God wills to have everyone to hear whatever is spoken in their own language it will be done because He wills it!! So the Holy Spirit could have me speak what sounds like babble and you could hear it in your own language!!

And has the Lord, via His Holy Spirit, not talked to you about the connection between the tower of Babel and the event in Acts???

Gen 11:7-9 Come, let’s go down and confuse the people with different languages. Then they won’t be able to understand each other.”
In that way, the LORD scattered them all over the world, and they stopped building the city.
That is why the city was called Babel, because that is where the LORD confused the people with different languages. In this way he scattered them all over the world.

How ironic that God would cause people to have different languages in and that city where is happened was called "Babel" because that is when people speaking in other languages didn't make sense. Then hundreds of years later He bring down His Holy Spirit on a gathering of devoted people and turns their "babble" (speaking in different languages) into each hearing the other in their own language by using His Holy Spirit - and it didn't stop there because hundreds of years later someone leaning on their own understanding can not believe that God would use babble in our speaking in tongues!!!!

HA HA HA - God has such a sense of humor - which of course is why Isaac (the promised son) means laughter!

People - if you don't seek the Lord, talk to Him, listen to Him, then you don't get to know and understand Him!!!!

Have you never heard Him tell you that He silliness it better than our best wisdom?

I mean - if a person hears another person speaking babble - then should they not seek God about it? And what then if you hear yourself speak in such a way when the Holy Spirit comes on you - certainly then you would think a person would then seek the Lord and listen to Him!! Never-the-less we don't, as incredible as that seems. That is because we really don't believe the Lord is their to actually just talk to us do we? Which is the reason for the gifts of tongues, that we might actually seek Him and listen to Him!! Still it HAD to be written to us:

1 Cor 14:13 Therefore let one who speaks in a tongue pray that he may interpret.

You would think that if a person spoke in something that others, and even themselves, couldn't understand then at least then they would seek the voice of the Lord and listen to what He has to say - yet Paul had to actually write the command (which is ignored to this day) to pray for interpretation!! Incredible!!

Did we not even read:

Prov 2:6 For the LORD gives wisdom; From His mouth come knowledge and understanding.

or

Prov 3:5-7 Trust in the LORD with all your heart And do not lean on your own understanding.
In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight.
Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the LORD and turn away from evil.

Now I know I don't listen to Him enough!! Only about a dozen times a day!!

But when I start speaking in tongues, because the Holy Spirit came on me in such a way according to His will, I now often know enough to seek the Lord and His voice at that time!!!

So now - guess what- if the Lord needs to get my attention because as usual I am not listening to Him, then the Holy Spirit can come on me in tongues and then I will listen!!

So what do you think happened when those "devote" men recorded in Acts, suddenly had the Holy Spirit come on them in tongues?? If they were devote they probably all started seeking the Lord and hearing in their own language, right?? And that is what seems to have happened!!!

Yet not everyone there was devote and were hearing in their own language (again thus disproving the logic in the OP)

Acts 2: 12,13 And they all continued in amazement and great perplexity, saying to one another, “What does this mean?”
But others were mocking and saying, “They are full of sweet wine.”

So to this day we have devoted Christians who ask "What does this mean?" when the Holy Spirit moves on them, and they listen to what God answers!!!
Yet we also have those who mock the things of God and thing others must be drunk or something!

So the question we should all have in ourselves is: Do we take our thoughts to Jesus Christ and listen to Him or not?